“I’m ready to give everything for the club that makes me love football” | OneFootball

Maria Inês Nogueira is the latest addition to the women’s team that will compete in the First Division in 2026/27. The 22-year-old right-back said that “it has always been a dream to reach the highest level of Portuguese football”, but doing so with the “Club of my heart” is something that is hard to “put into words”. After four years in the United States, which made her “grow physically” and “think quickly”, Maria Inês Nogueira describes herself as a “quick”, “strong” player who hates “losing duels”, which is why she promises to “give everything” on the pitch and always stay focused “on what the coach asks for”. When it came to setting her first goals, she left no room for doubt: “I want to help the team as much as I can, I want the team to give everything it has and to be competitive in this new stage, which is Liga BPI.”

Special news at a special moment“My parents had just arrived in the United States to attend my graduation. I had just picked them up from the airport, we were having dinner, and Paulo called me. He told me: ‘FC Porto asked me about you, they’re interested in you.’ In the middle of the restaurant, I ran over to tell my parents and it was incredible. I was already so happy that my parents had come to be with me, and receiving that news with them by my side was amazing.”

My heart is blue and white“It was always a dream to reach the highest level of Portuguese football, and being able to do that while representing the Club of my heart is something I can’t put into words. I’m very happy and ready to give everything I have for the Club that makes me love playing football.”

The experience in the United States“In Portugal, it is still difficult to play sport at the highest level and be successful in university. I like to give 100% in everything I do, and I didn’t want to be 50/50 or 80/20, which is why I went to the United States, because I knew that there I could give 100% to the shirt I was wearing and 100% to my studies. That was the reason why I decided to go to the other side of the Atlantic instead of staying here for those four years.”

Speed, intensity and physicality“The game there is very fast, very intense, and there are a lot of physical duels. I think that’s exactly what I bring from there, because when it comes to technique and tactics there is no doubt about Portugal. Playing there made me grow physically, it made me think quickly, and I think that’s what I bring. Playing there took my game to another level.”

FC Porto helping women’s football grow“FC Porto launched the women’s team in my first year at university, and I knew that by the end of university it would be in the First Division. At the time, I jokingly told my father that I wanted to go and play for FC Porto three years later, but the fact that it has become reality is inexplicable. I always said I wanted to come here, and being able to get here is incredible.”

A self-portrait as a player“I’m a right-back. I’m quick, strong, and I hate losing duels. What I want is to win the ball and help the team in the attacking phase. I give everything I have on the pitch and I always focus on what the coach asks of me.”

My first goals wearing the Dragon on my chest“I want to help the team as much as I can, I want the team to give everything it has and to be competitive in this new stage, which is Liga BPI.”

Very familiar faces“I have some national team teammates and another player who was with me at Sporting, Maria Ferreira. I’ve always got on well with her and I’m happy to be able to play with her again.”

A message for the Porto family“I ask that you keep coming to the matches and continue supporting the team. I promise that I will always give my all and everything I have for this Club, on and off the pitch.”

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.